The UN's educational, scientific and cultural agency, UNESCO announced on Wednesday that Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, has been added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

"People in India and around the world are thrilled," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X after the announcement.

He called Diwali "the soul of our civilization," adding that the move "will contribute to the festival's global popularity even further."

What is Diwali, India's festival of lights?

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of Hinduism's most significant and widely observed festivals.

Millions of faithful, including those from the Sikh and Jain religious communities, celebrate the five-day festival.

Diwali, which occurs on the new moon day in either late October or November, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

It is the 16th Indian tradition to be inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, joining yoga, the Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela and Durga Puja Festival of Kolkata. 

What are other new additions to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list?

UNESCO members are meeting in New Delhi this week to review dozens of nominations submitted by 78 countries.

The new additions will join the cultural heritage list, created to "raise awareness of the diversity" of the traditions passed from one generation to another and ensure their protection for the future.

Here are some new traditions added to the list this year:

• Koshary, Egypt's street food staple
• Al-Muhaibis, a game typically played during the month of Ramadan in Iraq
• Gifaataa, Wolaita people's New Year festival in Ethiopia
• Commandaria from Cyprus, one of the oldest wines
• Ghana's highlife music and dance
• Chile's circus traditions 
• Icelandic swimming pools
• Italian cooking

Italy's Agriculture and Culture Ministries put forward the world-famous cuisine for the intangible heritage list in 2023.

Pizza, pasta, risotto, gelato and cannoli are enjoyed throughout the world.

"There is no single Italian cuisine, but a mosaic of local expressive diversities," the Italian government said.

According to Deloitte, the Italian food service market was worth €251 billion ($293 billion) in 2024, equivalent to 19% of the global restaurant market.

The Mediterranean diet is already on the list, as is the art of Neapolitan "Pizzaiuolo."

Edited by: Louis Oelofse